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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

Barbara Payton was an actress and fashion model. She was an attractive blue-eyed blonde with peroxide hair whose life ultimately broke down, primarily by her actions. Although she had a reasonably successful career, her addiction to alcohol and drugs ultimately led to the end of her life. She became the subject of several books following her death, such as ‘Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye: The Barbara Payton Story’ and ‘LA Despair: A Landscape of Crimes and Bad Times.

Modeling career

Barbara began modeling after hiring a photographer to take photos of her in fashionable outfits. After gaining the attention of clothing designers, she went on to find work in advertising. After being hired by the Rita La Roy Agency in Hollywood in September 1947, she soon began working in print advertising, notably for Studebaker automobiles and clothing ads in magazines like Charm and Junior Bazaar.

Acting career

Barbara Payton made her acting debut in 1949 with the movie ‘Silver Butte’. Her first significant role came in the film ‘Trapped’ which was released in the same year. It was a semi-documentary about the Treasury Department. The following year she appeared in the violent noir thriller ‘Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950)’. The film follows a criminal who escapes from prison, kills his partner in crime, and returns to the life of crime.

She also appeared in several other films in the 1950s, including ‘Only the Valliant (1951)’, ‘Run for the Hills (1953)’, ‘The Great Jesse James Raid (1953)’, and ‘The Flanagan Boy (1953). The last significant role that she played was in the 1955 thriller ‘Murder is My Beat’. Edgar G Ulmer directed it. In the movie, a businessman is found dead, and his girlfriend is convicted of his murder.

Barbara Payton Spouses

Barbara eloped with her high school boyfriend, William Hodge, at the age of sixteen. An impulsive act of teenage rebellion, the marriage was later annulled by her parents. A few months later, she dropped out of high school.

In 1945, Barbara married her second husband, combat pilot John Payton, with whom she had a son.  While she was a housewife and a mother, she felt confined and left her husband for her career.

Payton married actor Franchot Tone in 1950. Payton began an affair with B-movie actor Tom Neal while engaged to Tone. Frequently, she alternated between Neal and Tone in public. After only two years of marriage, the couple divorced in 1952.

In 1957, Payton married a 23-year-old furniture-store executive, George Anthony Provas. The marriage lasted only for a year.

Payton married her fifth husband, Jess Rawley, in 1962, and they remained together until her death.

In addition to her five marriages, Payton also had affairs with several actors and famous personalities, including Howard Hughes, Bob Hope, Woody Strode, Guy Madison, George Raft, John Ireland, Steve Cochran and Texas oilman Bob Neal. Barbara juggled two boyfriends at once, actor Franchot Tone and actor Tom Neal, and they fought almost to the death for her affection.

How Barbara ruined her life and career

Payton’s life and career were ruined by her addiction to drugs and alcohol. It is believed that her autobiography, “I Am Not Ashamed”, was ghostwritten by another person. Barbara had one favor to ask her ghostwriter, Leo Guild. She did not want to be paid in cash or by check. She requested red wine as payment because there were claims on her money.

After emerging from a sex worker career in Chicago in the early 1960s, Payton became addicted to heroin and went from entertaining johns with Lila Leeds to living in living conditions right next to the clubs she once commanded. By the time Payton was over 21, she had become a scandalous sexpot and actress and had been dubbed the “new queen of clubs” by a journalist.

Barbara was beaten up by an extra and drug dealer in the middle of the night in a dispute over rent. A drunk stabbed her in 1962, and she received 38 stitches to heal the wound. She is accused of giving two fur coats to the owner of a bar in May 1954, at a time when she had little money, to make him tear up her $200 bar tab.

Payton spent many lonely evenings at the Coach and Horses, one of Sunset Boulevard’s dive bars. He wrote poetry there and spent many nights alone. She lost teeth, was beaten, and forced to sleep on bus benches.

Barbara Payton’s death

Payton was discovered passed out near the trash in the Thrifty Drug Store parking lot on Sunset Boulevard. She was subsequently taken home to her parents in San Diego because her liver was deteriorating, and she died on May 8, 1967, at the age of 39. In San Diego, California, she was cremated and buried at the Cypress View Mausoleum and Crematory.

#1 Barbara Payton, 1951.

Barbara Payton, 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#2 Barbara Payton during a photoshoot, 1950.

Barbara Payton during a photoshoot, 1950.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#3 Barbara Payton wearing a coat, 1950.

Barbara Payton wearing a coat, 1950.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#4 Barbara Payton in black dress, 1949.

Barbara Payton in black dress, 1949.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#5 Barbara Payton displaying her charm midst some cooling cubes, 1949

Barbara Payton displaying her charm midst some cooling cubes, 1949

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#6 Barbara Payton with actor Gregory Peck in the movie ‘Only the Valiant’, 1950.

Barbara Payton with actor Gregory Peck in the movie 'Only the Valiant', 1950.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#7 Barbara Payton sitting on the sofa, 1950.

Barbara Payton sitting on the sofa, 1950.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#8 Barbara Payton with Den Morgen, 1950.

Barbara Payton with Den Morgen, 1950.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#9 Barbara Payton with Gregory Peck in a scene from the movie ‘Only the Valiant’, 1951.

Barbara Payton with Gregory Peck in a scene from the movie 'Only the Valiant', 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#10 Barbara Payton in a scene from Bride of the Gorilla, 1952.

Barbara Payton in a scene from Bride of the Gorilla, 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#11 Beautiful Barbara Payton, 1951.

Beautiful Barbara Payton, 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#12 Barbara Payton with Franchot Tone at the airport, 1951.

Barbara Payton with Franchot Tone at the airport, 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#13 Barbara Payton leaning by the sofa, 1950.

Barbara Payton leaning by the sofa, 1950.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#14 Barbara Payton as Cathy Eversham in the western ‘Only the Valiant’, 1951.

Barbara Payton as Cathy Eversham in the western 'Only the Valiant', 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#15 Barbara Payton waiting at the airport, 1951.

Barbara Payton waiting at the airport, 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#16 Barbara Payton, 21 November 1951.

Barbara Payton, 21 November 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#17 Barbara Payton, November 1951.

Barbara Payton, November 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#18 Barbara Payton and Franchot Tone dancing at a night club in Hollywood, 1951.

Barbara Payton and Franchot Tone dancing at a night club in Hollywood, 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#19 Barbara Payton with Franchot Tone waiting outside Mocambo nightclub, 1951.

Barbara Payton with Franchot Tone waiting outside Mocambo nightclub, 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#20 Barbara Payton signs autographs for fans outside Mocambo, 1951.

Barbara Payton signs autographs for fans outside Mocambo, 1951.

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#21 Barbara Payton with Franchot Tone at Mocambo’s in Los Angeles, 1951.

Barbara Payton with Franchot Tone at Mocambo's in Los Angeles, 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#22 Barbara Payton returning from the hospital and photographers waiting for her, 1951.

Barbara Payton returning from the hospital and photographers waiting for her, 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#23 Barbara Payton and her son, Denny, as they arrived in Minneapolis on their way to Cloquet, 1951

Barbara Payton and her son, Denny, as they arrived in Minneapolis on their way to Cloquet, 1951

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#24 Barbara Payton arrives at LaGuardia Airport, 1951.

Barbara Payton arrives at LaGuardia Airport, 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#25 Barbara Payton Terry Turner of RKO at LaGuardia Airport, 1951.

Barbara Payton Terry Turner of RKO at LaGuardia Airport, 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#26 Barbara Payton with Franchot Tone and her son, 1951.

Barbara Payton with Franchot Tone and her son, 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#27 Barbara Payton waiting for the arrival of Franchot Tone, 1951.

Barbara Payton waiting for the arrival of Franchot Tone, 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#28 Barbara Payton and Franchot Tone, 1951.

Barbara Payton and Franchot Tone, 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#29 Barbara Payton during the filming of ‘The 4-sided Triangle’, 1952.

Barbara Payton during the filming of 'The 4-sided Triangle', 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#30 Barbara Payton with prdocuer Alexader Paal at the Savoy Hotel, London, 1952.

Barbara Payton with prdocuer Alexader Paal at the Savoy Hotel, London, 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#31 Barbara Payton, 1951.

Barbara Payton, 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#32 Barbara Payton, leave table in Little Gypsy restaurant, 1951.

Barbara Payton, leave table in Little Gypsy restaurant, 1951.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#33 Barbara Payton and Tom Neal pictured on their arrival from England to attend to her son, 1952.

Barbara Payton and Tom Neal pictured on their arrival from England to attend to her son, 1952.

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#34 Barbara Payton with her attorney Milton Golden, 1952.

Barbara Payton with her attorney Milton Golden, 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#35 Barbara Payton in London, July 1952.

Barbara Payton in London, July 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#36 Barbara Payton arriving to start filming ‘Foursided Triangle’ in Britain, 1952.

Barbara Payton arriving to start filming 'Foursided Triangle' in Britain, 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#37 Barbara Payton in the Britain to film ‘The Four Sided Triangle’, at London Airport, July 24th 1952.

Barbara Payton in the Britain to film 'The Four Sided Triangle', at London Airport, July 24th 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#38 Barbara Payton in London, July 1952.

Barbara Payton in London, July 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#39 Barbara Payton in her hotel room in London. 25th July 1952.

Barbara Payton in her hotel room in London. 25th July 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#40 Barbara Payton in her hotel room in London, 1952.

Barbara Payton in her hotel room in London, 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#41 Barbara Payton sitting in the car, 1952.

Barbara Payton sitting in the car, 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#42 Barbara Payton with Stephen Murray on the beach during the filming of ‘The Four Sided Triangle’ , 1952.

Barbara Payton with Stephen Murray on the beach during the filming of 'The Four Sided Triangle' , 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#43 Barbara Payton with Stephen Murray during the filming of ‘The Four Sided Triangle’, 1952.

Barbara Payton with Stephen Murray during the filming of 'The Four Sided Triangle', 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#44 Barbara Payton chats to Michael Carreras producer of a British film, ‘The Four Sided Triangle’, 1952.

Barbara Payton chats to Michael Carreras producer of a British film, 'The Four Sided Triangle', 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#45 Barbara Payton with Stephen Murray for a scene in a British film, ‘The Four Sided Triangle’ being shot at Weymouth in Dorset, 1952.

Barbara Payton with Stephen Murray for a scene in a British film, 'The Four Sided Triangle' being shot at Weymouth in Dorset, 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#46 Barbara Payton with her leading man Stephen Murrayduring filming of ‘The Four Sided Triangle’, 1952.

Barbara Payton with her leading man Stephen Murrayduring filming of 'The Four Sided Triangle', 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#47 Barbara Payton in Weymouth, 1952.

Barbara Payton in Weymouth, 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#48 Barbara Payton posed by a curtain in October 1952.

Barbara Payton posed by a curtain in October 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#49 Barbara Payton dancing, 1952.

Barbara Payton dancing, 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#50 Barbara Payton poses by a spinning wheel on the set of the movie, 1952.

Barbara Payton poses by a spinning wheel on the set of the movie, 1952.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#51 Barbara Payton with Sunny Tufts in the movie ‘Run for the Hills’, 1953.

Barbara Payton with Sunny Tufts in the movie 'Run for the Hills', 1953.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#52 Barbara Payton and Tom Neal in Scenes from ‘The Great Jesse James Raid’,1953.

Barbara Payton and Tom Neal in Scenes from 'The Great Jesse James Raid',1953.

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#53 Barbara Payton and Tom Neal arrives at Idlewild Airport, 1953.

Barbara Payton and Tom Neal arrives at Idlewild Airport, 1953.

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Barbara Payton: A Look into the Troubled Life of a Blazing Blonde Bombshell Who Ruined her Career and Life

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#54 Barbara Payton and Tom Neal in Scenes from ‘The Great Jesse James Raid’, 1953.

Barbara Payton and Tom Neal in Scenes from 'The Great Jesse James Raid', 1953.

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#55 Barbara Payton arrives at Idlewild Airport to begin rehearsals of play ‘The Postman Always Rings Twice’, 1953.

Barbara Payton arrives at Idlewild Airport to begin rehearsals of play 'The Postman Always Rings Twice', 1953.

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#56 Barbara Payton climbing the stairs of hospital, 1950.

Barbara Payton climbing the stairs of hospital, 1950.

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#57 Barbara Payton posing by a pool side, 1950.

Barbara Payton posing by a pool side, 1950.

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#58 Barbara Payton, 1949.

Barbara Payton, 1949.

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#59 Barbara Payton, 1952.

Barbara Payton, 1952.

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#60 Barbara Payton by the poolside, 1950.

Barbara Payton by the poolside, 1950.

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#61 Barbara Payton, 1952.

Barbara Payton, 1952.

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#62 Barbara Payton frowns then laughs as she is interviewed upon her arrival at airport, 1951.

Barbara Payton frowns then laughs as she is interviewed upon her arrival at airport, 1951.

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#63 Barbara Payton holding a hammer, 1950.

Barbara Payton holding a hammer, 1950.

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet....... I’ve never been able to figure out what would i write about myself.

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